Senior water and wastewater engineers help communities and organizations plan, design, and improve the systems that deliver clean water and safely manage wastewater. These experienced professionals lead technical work across treatment plants, pipelines, pump stations, and other critical infrastructure. Explore vetted senior engineering opportunities on Ladders, including roles with salaries of $100,000 or more.
Responsibilities vary by employer and project, but senior engineers commonly evaluate existing systems, develop engineering plans, prepare technical reports, and guide projects from early studies through construction. They may oversee process, civil, or hydraulic design; review calculations and drawings; coordinate permitting; and support construction administration and commissioning. Many roles also involve mentoring engineers and working closely with clients, utilities, contractors, and regulators.
Employers typically seek a degree in civil, environmental, or a related engineering field, along with substantial experience in water or wastewater projects. A Professional Engineer (PE) license is often preferred or required, particularly for roles that involve approving engineering work. Valuable qualifications include knowledge of treatment processes, hydraulic modeling, design standards, regulatory requirements, project management, and technical communication.
Senior water/wastewater engineers work for engineering consultancies, water utilities, public agencies, and infrastructure organizations. Depending on the employer, they may specialize in drinking water treatment, wastewater treatment, collection and distribution systems, reuse, stormwater, or resilient infrastructure. Experienced engineers can advance into principal engineer, technical director, department manager, or project executive positions.
Search Ladders for senior water and wastewater engineering roles that match your expertise, location, and career goals. Ladders focuses on vetted professional opportunities paying $100,000 or more, helping experienced engineers explore their next career move.
$104K - $130K *
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Mid-Level Structural Engineer (PE) (Southwest Region - Remote) - 24646
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$175K - $225K *
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$110K - $130K *
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6 days ago
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$90K - $105K *
Design and support overhead transmission line projects, collaborating across disciplines while gaining hands-on experience in engineering calculations and software tools. This entry-level role offers...
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Drive excellence in construction oversight by ensuring safety, quality, and schedule adherence across multiple projects. Lead onsite execution and coordination while fostering a strong safety-first cu...
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$170K - $195K *
Lead the charge in powering global initiatives by overseeing operations support, ensuring compliance, and implementing best practices across a vast energy portfolio to drive performance and safety in...
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$80K - $95K *
Advance your career as a multi-site operational leader, ensuring high-quality sanitation services, regulatory compliance, and team performance across various locations while supporting new site launch...
3 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Join a team that's redefining network solutions by designing, implementing, and supporting advanced LAN, WAN, and wireless systems. Collaborate with cross-functional leaders to enhance network strateg...
2 weeks ago
Responsable Qualité Chantier de Construction/Site Quality Specialist
$80K - $95K *
Join a dynamic team to oversee quality assurance in construction projects, ensuring compliance with standards and managing inspections. Collaborate with stakeholders to drive project success from star...
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SR ENGINEER, CONTRACT MANAGEMENT GROUP
$79K - $122K *
Transform public infrastructure by leading engineering projects, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance transportation systems and utilities while providin...
1 week ago
Ingénieur Électrique - Sous-Station / Electrical Substation Engineer
$100K - $120K *
Accelerate your career by leading high-voltage substation design projects, ensuring quality engineering solutions, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to meet project specifications and tim...
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Champion sustainability initiatives by leading client portfolios, managing projects, and enhancing service offerings. Collaborate with teams to deliver impactful solutions and drive strategic growth i...
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$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in statistical analysis and project management, ensuring compliance and delivering insights across complex projects. Mentor team members while collaborating with sponsors and regulator...
Reposted 4 days ago
Sr Advanced Mechanical Engineer
$149K - $166K *
Lead the charge in advancing cutting-edge mechanical engineering solutions for high-performance electronics in space systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative designs that...
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$95K - $115K *
Empower progress at the forefront of electrical engineering by leading substation design projects, ensuring compliance with standards, and mentoring a dynamic team to deliver innovative solutions in u...
3 weeks ago
Senior Preconstruction Manager
$110K - $130K *
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Director, Engineering - Transmission Line
$195K - $250K *
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6 days ago
Senior AI Data & Analytics Engineer II
$137K - $231K *
Optimize data infrastructure and AI solutions to drive impactful analytics and automation. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to architect scalable data models and pipelines, ensuring high-qualit...
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$120K - $170K *
Champion innovative air quality solutions by leading projects and business development efforts. Leverage your expertise to drive compliance and strategic consulting for industrial clients while mentor...
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$94K - $129K *
Manage a diverse portfolio of projects while leveraging technical expertise in electrical systems and project management to ensure successful execution and delivery for clients and stakeholders across...
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Journeyman Marine Propulsion Engineer
$90K - $100K *
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1 week ago
What does a senior water/wastewater engineer do?
A senior water/wastewater engineer plans and leads engineering work for water and wastewater infrastructure. Duties may include treatment process and pipeline design, hydraulic analysis, technical reviews, permitting support, project management, and mentoring engineering teams.
What qualifications are typically required for senior water/wastewater engineer jobs?
Employers commonly require a bachelor's degree in civil, environmental, or a related engineering discipline and significant relevant project experience. A Professional Engineer (PE) license is frequently preferred or required, depending on the position and jurisdiction.
Where do senior water/wastewater engineers work?
They work for engineering consulting firms, water and wastewater utilities, government agencies, and infrastructure companies. Projects can involve treatment facilities, pipelines, pump stations, water reuse, stormwater, and system upgrades.
Do senior water/wastewater engineers need a PE license?
Many senior roles prefer or require a PE license, especially when the engineer is responsible for approving or sealing designs. Requirements vary by employer, project responsibilities, and state or local regulations.
What is the salary for a senior water/wastewater engineer?
Pay varies based on location, experience, licensure, employer, and project scope. Ladders features vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, including qualifying senior water and wastewater engineering opportunities.